Derbyshire

DEMAND SURGE FOR PINELOG’S DOG FRIENDLY TIMBER LODGE DESIGNS

Posted on August 7, 2024

Pinelog Ltd has seen a rise in demand for its dog-friendly timber lodges, driven by increased dog ownership during the pandemic and a growing staycation market. Chairman Nick Grayson attributes this trend to pet owners viewing dogs as family members, prompting them to seek accommodations that cater to pets.

He noted that holiday park customers are capitalizing on this trend, resulting in more orders for pet-friendly lodges. Dog boarding can cost about £125 for seven nights, so bringing pets on holiday can save money for owners. Research from Verdant Leisure supports this trend, showing 40% of people look for pet-friendly facilities when choosing UK holiday destinations.

Pinelog’s lodges feature amenities like stable doors, vinyl flooring, dog showers, and ‘Mucky Pup’ hoses to cater to pets. Kelling Heath Holiday Park in Norfolk is introducing dog-friendly Woodland lodges in 2024, designed and built by Pinelog with external dog showers among other features.

Similarly, Darwin Forest Luxury Lodges Holiday Park in Derbyshire, owned by Pinelodge Holidays, offers pet-friendly lodges with spacious verandas, outdoor washing facilities, and utility areas with stable doors. The Coppice Spa lodges also feature a unique doggy shower. These lodges, introduced in 2018, have been popular with guests.

Caroline Povey, Associate Marketing Director of Pinelodge Holidays, mentioned that pet-friendly lodges have broadened their market. Lodges with hot tubs and pet-friendly features, especially the Coppice Spa lodges, have the highest occupancy rates.

Nick Grayson added that these designs are ideal for parks like Darwin Forest and Kelling Heath, which offer ample dog walking opportunities. Pinelog’s pet-friendly lodges can be customized to meet the needs of holiday parks. Designed and built at their Chesterfield facility, these luxury timber lodges are an attractive option for holiday parks looking to tap into the staycation market.

Pinelog
01246 942842
www.pinelog.co.uk

THE GLADE by Pinelog are all bespoke and can include a dog shower.

UK STAYCATION TRENDS

Posted on March 5, 2024

UK STAYCATION TRENDS

Holiday bookers would rather staycation than go abroad in 2024, according to new research – but it’s a close call. When 1,000 UK holidaymakers were surveyed by Thermos, 52% chose staying close to home, while 48% would choose to head overseas this year. One in three said they had a staycation at some point in the last year (30%).

Only one in 10 (10%) said they felt a staycation wasn’t as much of a break as a holiday abroad. When asked about preferred destinations for a UK getaway, 11 per cent said they kept theirs secret from wider acquaintances, as they feared them becoming too touristy. One in five (22%) said they actively avoided tourist hot spots because they were too busy.

BEST THINGS ABOUT A STAYCATION:
1. Saves travel time – 45%
2. Supports local businesses – 39%
3. There are still lots of places I haven’t explored and want to – 38%
4. Better for the environment – 36%
5. Saves money – 33%
6. No issue with language – 30%
7. Less stressful – 30%
8. No restrictions on luggage – 25%
9. Know I will like the food – 22%
10. I can take my pets - 20%

THE TOP 10 UK STAYCATION DESTINATIONS:
1. East of England - incl. Norfolk and Cambridgeshire
2. South West England - incl. Cornwall, Devon and the Cotswolds
3. North West - incl. the Lake District
4. East Midlands - incl. Derbyshire and the Peak District
5. North East - incl. Northumberland
6. South East - incl. Oxfordshire, Kent and the Isle of Wight
7. Greater London
8. Yorkshire
9. Scotland
10.Wales

Other reasons quoted were it makes it easier to take family and friends for a group holiday (19%), and enjoying the weather more (12%). The Staycation report also revealed that generally holiday makers will be heading South – with 31% saying that would be their preferred option, whilst 19% would head North.

James Sheldon, Trading Manager at Thermos, said: “Obviously the pandemic necessitated a change in travel habits, and no one was quite sure how that would impact things longer term. It seems the trend for holidaying closer to home is going to continue into 2024, for reasons of ease, cost, the environment and the fact we’re lucky enough to have so many wonderful places in easy reach.

“Twenty per cent of respondents said they preferred a self-catering holiday, so they can choose what and when they eat. In Thermos’ 120-year history we’ve accompanied many families on a Great British getaway, and we are delighted that tradition continues. A flask of tea and fish and chips on the beach remains one of life’s great pleasures!”

ALL-YEAR-ROUND APPEAL

Posted on October 24, 2023

ALL-YEAR-ROUND APPEAL

KESWICK is one of a growing number of parks open to visitors all year round.

The seasons might be changing but The Camping and Caravanning Club has 18 sites open year-round and a total of 23 sites open until the end of the year. “Camping, caravanning and motorhoming doesn’t have to stop when the nights draw in,” says Simon McGrath, Head of Communications at the Club.

“We have 23 Club Sites open through to Christmas and into the New Year and 18 that welcome campers year-round,” he continues and adds: “Modern motorhomes and caravans are warm, comfy and well-equipped for year-round use – and even tent campers can still enjoy pitching up in colder weather with a little more preparation.”

The following Club Sites are open year-round:

THE BOROUGHBRIDGE CLUB Site in North Yorkshire provides an ideal base from which to explore York and the North York Moors National Park.

• Blackmore, Worcestershire
• Boroughbridge, North Yorkshire
• Bowness on Windermere, Cumbria
• Braithwaite Village, Cumbria
• Canterbury, Kent
• Chertsey, Surrey
• Conkers, Derbyshire
• Delamere Forest, Cheshire
• Derwentwater, Cumbria
• Devizes, Wiltshire
• Hertford, Hertfordshire
• Keswick, Cumbria
• Kingsbury Water Park, West Midlands
• Moffat, Dumfries and Galloway
• Oxford, Oxfordshire
• Salisbury, Wiltshire
• Tavistock, Devon
• Theobalds Park, Hertfordshire

To help people prepare for the autumn and winter, Iain Geddes, Senior Technical Advisor at the Club, has compiled five top tips for making the most of a winter camping break:
• Set up camp while it’s still light
• Insulate from the ground up
• Check the power
• Complete vehicle checks
Keep your eyes and ears on the weather

For more advice on autumn and winter camping check out the Club’s advice pages: www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/advice

Cotswolds Holiday Park Expands Leisure Facilities

Posted on February 11, 2014

Cotswolds Holiday Park Expands Leisure Facilities

The new social complex at Leedons Holiday Park offers visitors and residents additional recreational facilities.

Caravan park operator Allens Caravans has recently invested in a new state-of-the-art indoor swimming pool and social complex at Leedons Holiday Park in the Cotswolds.
Disused buildings on the holiday park site were demolished to make way for the new facility, which includes a 15m x 6m indoor swimming pool and changing rooms, a large social hall area and a hair studio.
The project was carried out by Derbyshire based pool and commercial building specialists Pinelog, who proposed a contemporary yet practical design of a timber frame building that folds into the landscape. The almost symmetrical, low profile structure, has two main wings housing the swimming pool and hall with separate mono-pitched roofs over the wings and central part of the building.
Pinelog also applied a number of sustainable design and energy efficient features to the leisure centre. In addition to the timber frame and larch cladding being constructed from sustainably produced materials, the building also includes solar roof panels, natural ventilation, extensive use of natural light, heat recovery from the extract ventilation, low energy lighting and recycling the swimming pool water.